Page 127 of Lethal Game

Len sat down on an overturned bucket under the tarp at the entrance to the lab and seemed to be content with whatever was going on.

Akbar came out of the lab, spoke to Len again, then took four of the armed goons and headed into the camp.

Looking for supplies, water, or fresh victims?

The rumble of a couple of fighter jets became audible and got louder fast.

Len shouted in Dari, “Everyone smile and wave.”

All the goons smiled and waved on cue. Too bad Smoke was signaling for help at the same time.

Fucking crazy son of a bitch, you just got made.

The fighters didn’t circle back and everyone relaxed. Len went around to give orders to a couple of the goons, then went into the lab tent.

Alone.

The fucking asshole. He was going to put his hands on Sophia. Again.

He needed a reason to go there, to approach the lab. Looking around, he found a tray with a row of hypodermic syringes on it. He picked it up and began walking toward the lab with a businesslike air.

At the first challenge, he said in Dari, “I was told to give these samples to the American woman.” He held out the tray.

The guard glanced at the tray and nodded.

Con went into the tent.

“Take your hands off me.” Sophia sounded mad. “I’m up to my elbows in rabies virus and you want to play snatch and grab? Are you stupid? I’ve got enough of the virus here to kill ten of you.”

“I’m on your side, sweetheart.” Len’s back was to Con and he backed up a step as he lowered his voice. “I’m double-crossing Akbar. Put down the container of brains and come with me. I’m going to get you out of here.”

“What about Con?” she asked in a tone that told him she hadn’t seen him standing behind Len.

“I’m sorry, Akbar had him and his buddies killed.” He held out a hand to her. “Come on, let’s go.”

The son of a bitch.

Con shifted his weight to take a step closer, to take Len down, but Sophia spoke before he could move.

“There is nothing that would make me go with you willingly,” she told him in herI think you’re stupid and therefore uninterestingvoice. “You’re a terrible liar.”

Len’s posture changed. He shifted toward her, crowding her against the bench behind her. “Akbar has already promised to let me have you when he’s got what he wants,” Len told her in a disgusting purr.

That’s it, you’re done.Con rammed the tray, rim first, into the base of Len’s skull.

He dropped like a stone.

Sophia stared at Con with wide eyes for a second then set what she was holding on the bench with a shaking hand, stripped off her gloves and threw herself at him.

He staggered for a moment, his injured leg a little wobbly. “Are you okay?” he whispered, running his hands over her. She was badly bruised everywhere he looked.

“Yes. No.” She shook her head and wiped tears away. “I was so scared they were going to kill you.”

“Hey, it’s been tried, but I keep bouncing back.” He rubbed her back, kissed her temple then coaxed her chin up so he could make eye contact. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

“How are we going to do that?” Her voice quivered with enough stress to make him look around for another asshole to beat up.

But they were alone. “Good question.”

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